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rd April 2015 Written by Andrew Kennedy-Schultz

Photos by Ngari Kennedy-Schultz

PRE-SEASON REPORT

ROLL CALL

February 2015. Meady rushed to the meticulously stacked skip at the front of his house and rescued

the crumbling team phone list amongst the rubble of his old kitchen. It was time to start getting the

old band back together again. Who would be pulling on the boots for another vintage year of the

Wyoming Football Club darlings, the 35DS … that was the question. And so, despite knowing that upon

doing so that it would be a frustrating experience of waiting … and waiting … and waiting for some of

those slack bastards to get back to him, Meady nevertheless sent out that group sms.

It was pretty much a given that he and the founding members: Flanno, Tony, Dean, Andy and Gregg

weren’t going to miss year No. 5. In fact a few of the boys kept busy during the off-season. Tony and

Flanno started up a ‘rescue kittens from trees’ service whilst almost half the team sweated in our over

the summer months at Soccer 5s in Tuggerah.

Flanno & Tony saving cats from trees

Chris and Framey, despite both adding “Mariners Academy Coach” to their resume for this upcoming

year, were also on board to celebrate their fourth year … Hang on, Framey you ask? That guy who

said in multiple press conferences that he was retiring in 2014 and even held an official - proudly

sponsored by the Singo’s bonfire- ritual of burning his boots at the post-Grand Final party? That

Framey? Yes! He realised he would just miss us all too much !!

A majority of the debutantes from the champion year of 2013 – Paul Ashton, Brad Avery, Dave

Stanbury, Jason Burke, Steve George, Mark “Aurelius” Wallace, and El Presidento Aaron Quill – were all

returning to complete their treble … And despite his former team returning from the 45s and trying to

poach their baby back, Luca Scuri has declared his allegiance with us by signing up for his second year !

CCF poster boy Kev Lee did announce at the end of last season that the rubber bands keeping his joints

together were in good nick and he’d be back for 2015. Sadly, ongoing MC work and constant jet setting

means he’ll be too busy.

FAREWELLS

Unfortunately not all are returning as we farewell four players…

After two seasons of juggling an unlucky soccer schedule mixed with his work in the mines, we say

goodbye to Geoff Dyer. Take care buddy.

Ben Wilkinson has left to form his own team, a squad of old school mates and buddies. We wish Benny

and the Wyoming 35FS the best of luck. Hopefully an all Wyoming Grand Final in a couple of seasons !!

Also on the exodus list is last season’s player of the year and golden boot winner, Steve “Jono” Johnson.

He was expected to return vowing “unfinished business” after the shock Grand Final loss but sadly not.

There was conjecture Flanno did not renew his contract as Jono didn’t quite score two goals per game

as promised. His 19 out of a possible 34 was pretty dismal after all … if you were being graded for an

exam, it’s barely a pass. Good luck Jono, hope to see you return someday.

Finally, we say farewell to Nathan Donzow. Nate announced last year that he would not play in 2015

but intended to take up the essential roles of sideline heckler, beer keeper and subs co-ordinator.

However a job opportunity is now taking the big fella to Queensland. At first people expected his

Comedy duo act with Mark Wallace that started at Wiseman’s Ferry may have gone national but their

partnership had disbanded due to a bourbon spilling incident. A disagreement ensued but thankfully all

restraining orders have since been dropped. Nate stayed busy but unfortunately his circus act with his

merry band of lady dwarves also failed to scale any great heights (I couldn’t resist) in the

entertainment world. Nate now enters the world of the National Broadband Network, his gift to the

nation in providing more readily accessible internet porn. We’ll miss you mate !!

NEW RECRUITS

We do welcome two new recruits to the squad: George Savidis – the current Wyomings WPL coach - and

his mate Adrian Hughes who we’re informed is a striker. No word on whether Flanno has given him a

conditional contract. Welcome to the team boys.

George Savidis in action … Dave showing him which way we’re going.

THE TRIAL GAME (ST. PHILIP’S CHRISTIAN COLLEGE)

Thanks to some networking by Flanno and Meady, most of the boys were able to dust off the cobwebs

with a trial game against Benny’s team, the Wyoming 35FS. Only Framey (shopping for new boots

presumably), Aaron (probably out on the boat fishing for lost soccer balls – apt as another was lost

today) and our yet-to-be-seen new striker Adrian were absent. Jason turned up the second half sans

gear but with a giant umbrella to watch and mock his teammates almost drowning. Yes, the boys were

drenched in the second half, a complete contrast to the scorching heat of the first. George made his

debut. Not only was it a hard ask remembering the names of all his new teammates (nobody brought

the Chronicles book with them) but it also didn’t help that most of them didn’t know the numbers they

were wearing. Tony for instance, opted to play it safe and traded in the notorious, target-riddled No.

10 jersey for No. 17 – he lacked the beer in his belly to appropriately fill it though. Stevie G sported

the keeper jersey to the praise of Nate who sadly made what could be his only appearance on the

sideline this year, teasing us with another fine job as subs coach. He missed Aaron not being there to

tell him how good Stevie G performed as custodian. He needed to be good as it was a bit of a slow

start for the 35DS. A few poor passes, some tired legs and much panting were on display for our loyal

audience. When the 35FS took an early lead, Nate ushered Captain Flanno onto the field to write this

wrong. Sure enough, he took a shot from well beyond the 18-yard box that dipped sweetly underneath

the crossbar. Flanno announced it was his first goal in 20 years. Framey, of course would declare on

social media that evening that pre-season goals don’t count!! Oh well. The scores we locked at 1-1 at

half time. Fearing Nate would be irate at us being shown up by these new kids on the block, Dave hid in

the toilets for the half-time talk. The second half saw a bit more of the pizzazz that is synonymous

with this illustrious team – the rain certainly helped though. Paul scored one of his trademark goals to

give the boys the lead and Chris capped it off with a header from an Andy cross to seal the win at 3-1.

Not a bad afternoon’s work. The lumberjack-bearded Luca ably backed up from playing for the 35A’s

in the curtain-raiser. As punishment, Flanno tried to force him to play a treble by assisting an All Ages

game the followed ours. So good to be back with the brothers. Thanks to the 35FS for a fun hit-out.

All the best for the season ahead.

Brad almost gets penalised for shirt pulling / Dean goes for the leg over.

Gregg desecrating sacred soil / Tony struggling to keep his head above his gigantic shirt.

Best Players of the 2011 team now up against each other / Bushranger Luca appears from the jungle.

Stevie G forgets his position as he runs to the halfway mark / Meady starts the funny faces early.

Flanno’s Goal

WINTER IS COMING !!

WYOMING 35DS’ 2015 DRAW

ROUNDS 1-7

WYOMING 35DS’ 2015 DRAW

ROUNDS 8-14

THE SEASON AHEAD

The 2015 competition sees five other teams – presumably the same - returning from last season:

Kariong (the Premiers), Gosford (finalists), Umina, Kincumber, and Terrigal. East Gosford (formerly

East Gosford 2 from the 2013 ES competition) have left the DN comp to join us; and last but certainly

not least, Avoca who not only bagged the double of ES League Champions and Premiers in 2014 but did

the same in the FS in 2013 – let’s stop them from the trifecta, boys !! Last year’s League Champions

Woy Woy have progressed to the CS competition.

ROUND ONE

The new boys on the block face each other at East Gosford; Umina has to travel over the border to

battle the Banjo Player and his Trophy Hunters; Kincumber and Terrigal, last season’s cellar dwellers

will be hoping for a good start; and two of last season’s finalists battle it out at Gavenlock. Let the

games begin …

Cya Next Saturday !!